“The first time I went to the hospital for artificial insemination was in my 13th year of marriage. I’ve gone every year since then, even though I’ve failed every year.” Ms. Akiyama, 39, has fallen into a quagmire to treat her infertility.
There are many more women like Ms. Akiyama in Japan who are afflicted by infertility. According to a survey by the Japanese Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, in 2009, 213,800 women underwent artificial insemination treatment, three times the number in 2000.
In Japanese society, where there is a tidal wave of pressure, Japanese women, whose average age at first birth is over 30, are racing against infertility to catch the “tail” of their childbearing years. Some of these older women are in a race against infertility. Some of these older women have been blessed by God to give birth to their babies. However, other unfortunate women are suffering from the dreaded infertility and are under unimaginable pressure.
Not to mention the physical burden, the mental burden is also too much for these women to bear. In 2009, a 41-year-old infertile woman in Aomori Prefecture even chose to commit suicide on a rail after years of treatment failed.
There is also the terrible financial burden. Infertility treatments, such as artificial insemination, are not covered by Japanese health insurance. You can imagine what life is like for infertile women in Japan who have to give about half of their income each year to try to be the lucky ones with a small chance.
A 2011 report by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare speculated that women will continue to postpone the age of first birth due to Japan’s prolonged economic downturn and declining incomes. It is a pressing issue for the Japanese government to find ways to help infertile women.